Weekend Edition Saturday

Schedule

88.5-1

Saturday

8:00 am

From civil wars in Bosnia and El Salvador, to hospital rooms, police stations, and America's backyards, National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning correspondent Scott Simon brings a well-traveled perspective to his role as host of Weekend Edition Saturday.

In the music business, 2012 may be remembered as the year the weakest of the major record labels was swallowed up by the others. The demise of EMI raises big questions about the future of a business now dominated by just a few players.

The New York Times reported this week that the town of Little Mountain, S.C. (Population: 292), is in search of a mayor. Buddy Johnson, the current mayor, is leaving after 16 years. The trouble is, no one seems interested in taking the position.

On Dec. 31, 1862, African-Americans and abolitionists waited for word — via telegraph, newspaper or word of mouth — that the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. A New Year's Eve tradition marks the anniversary of President Lincoln's actions to end slavery.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

It was a strange and wonderful year for young adult fiction, says critic Maggie Stiefvater. Debates raged over what constituted a young adult novel versus an adult novel. This list isn't concerned with classification — it rounds up five magical books for young adults and grown-ups alike.

The inspirational El Sistema music education program, developed in Venezuela, has Sao Paulo Symphony conductor Marin Alsop fantasizing about a better musical world. Her other orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, is bringing similar opportunities to Charm City children.

Eastern Oregon is known more for ranching than abstract sculpture, but some residents are venturing into the world of fine art. For the last five years, Whit Deschner has been organizing the Great Salt Lick Contest, which gathers salt blocks artfully licked by local farm animals.

With Christmas on Tuesday this year, stores may be jam-packed this weekend. Those busy stores are also going to be on the lookout for shoplifters, especially at self-checkout machines, where it is a big problem.

While some cities push measures that drive immigrants away, some cities are doing exactly the opposite. Dayton, Ohio, adopted a plan to rebuild its battered economy by attracting immigrants — an approach that's influencing the way other cities deal with immigration.

After initially remaining silent about the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, the NRA called for placing armed guards at all of the nation's schools. Critics said the remarks were tone-deaf and not a way for the group to be a constructive part of the debate about gun violence.

The sudden death of North Korea's leader, the ascension of his little-known son and a rocket-launch failure marked a rocky year for the reclusive nation. In rare interviews, several North Koreans tell NPR that expectations of a better life have not been met. (This piece initially aired Dec. 10, 2012 on Morning Edition).

Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon talks with American Enterprise Institute political analyst Norm Ornstein, about GOP Speaker of the House John Boehner. Since his "Plan B" on the fiscal cliff failed this week, where does he go from here with his unruly Republican caucus?

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